Beach and Coastal Cleanups

Thank you to the 70 volunteers of all ages who helped clean up Aquatic Park for California Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 17th! We removed almost 140 pounds of trash from SF Maritime National Historical Park, and kept it from becoming marine debris polluting San Francisco Bay, and eventually the Pacific ocean. Check out a few great photos below.

This year was the 32nd California Coastal Cleanup Day, and over 55,000 volunteers came out across the state to remove over 300 TONS of trash from California watersheds and coastlines. In addition to our Aquatic Park site, bay.org and the EcoCenter at Heron’s Head Park worked with many partners to coordinate Coastal Cleanup Day along the Bay side of San Francisco. At all levels, Coastal Cleanup Day keeps pollution out of our waterways, and reminds us all of the need to minimize sources of litter in the first place.

Missed the cleanup? No need to wait until next year’s Coastal Cleanup Day (always on the 3rd Saturday in September). We’ll be gearing up for more beach and shoreline cleanups before then. Mark your calendars for our next cleanup event in early January, as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. More information and registration details will be posted here later this year; or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

We love working with you and other dedicated volunteers to pick up everyday items like straws, wrappers, cigarette butts, and other plastic trash from harming our ecosystem. Cleanups are one important part of the solution to marine debris, but there are other actions you can take too. Reducing the amount of trash we generate is the ultimate solution, so using your reusable bags, bottles, and mugs are excellent daily habits to maintain. You can also avoid plastic straws and utensils; and look for products that minimize packaging waste. Kudos if you are already developing these habits!

Thank you again for being a coastal hero and helping to keep trash out of San Francisco Bay. We hope to see you again at a future coastal cleanup!

Find Us

Search

Newsletter Signup

You’re invited to join us in exploring San Francisco Bay, from the Sierra to the sea. Stay up to date with the latest Aquarium news and events, as well as updates on The Bay Institute’s conservation and policy efforts.